GIABA STRENGTHENS THE CAPACITIES OF MEMBERS OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEES OF ECOWAS MEMBER STATES
GIABA STRENGTHENS THE CAPACITIES OF MEMBERS OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEES (PACs) OF ECOWAS MEMBER STATES
The Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) is organizing, a regional seminar on the prevention of financial crime and the strengthening of public financial management through the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committees of ECOWAS member states in Lomé, Togo, on 18 & 19 September 2025.
The seminar aims to enhance knowledge on legal frameworks, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards and institutional arrangements that promote the integrity of Public Financial Management (PFM); equip PACs with practical tools to interpret audit reports, detect red flags and recommend preventive and corrective measures; facilitate regional peer-to-peer learning on successful practices and their challenges; Promote stronger inter-agency collaboration between PACs, Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs), Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs), anti-corruption agencies, criminal investigation and prosecution agencies, civil society and the media; develop concrete recommendations to strengthen the independence, technical competence and operational effectiveness of PACs.
PACs are an essential pillar of national public finance governance mechanisms. They provide crucial oversight by reviewing the accounts of government and public agencies, reviewing audit reports issued by SAIs, and making recommendations for corrective action. They also help to close systemic gaps that enable financial crimes, promote better value for money and maintain public trust in state institutions. However, in many Member States of the Community, PACs face enormous challenges which undermine their ability to perform their functions optimally. These challenges include, among others, political interference and lack of institutional independence and the lack of structured collaboration with Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI)s, FIUs, anti-corruption agencies and agencies/departments in charge of criminal investigations and prosecutions; etc.
GIABA, beyond its main mission of combating money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing (AML/CFT/P), is committed to promoting financial integrity, transparency and accountability in the management of public resources as a means of preserving economic stability and strengthening democratic governance in the ECOWAS region. This capacity building for PACs will provide a double strategic benefit by improving Public Finance Management (PFMs) systems while preventing financial crimes.
The seminar will also provide participants with a unique platform to deepen their understanding of the links between PFM and economic and financial crimes; to strengthen their technical capacities; and to share the experiences of peers from across the sub-region.
The participatory approach to be adopted during the meeting will allow the attendees to engage in peer-to-peer learning in selected case studies of ECOWAS Member States, complemented by thematic discussions. The event brings together parliamentarians, auditors and anti-corruption practitioners. The seminar will conclude with the collaborative drafting of a joint communiqué containing agreed recommendations, priority actions and follow-up commitments at the national and regional levels.